Natural Communities, LLC

Utilizing the power of native plants to heal the land has been one of our core mantras. We have been recommending native cover crops for years through Fly-Wheel-Ecology. Now a study shows using native rye cover crops in combination with fire help reduce buckthorn. Another analog is using Sideoats Gramma (Bouteloua curtipendula) in full sun, mesic to dry situations and Virginia Wild Rye (Elymus virginicus) in full to part sun, mesic to wet mesic conditions. Getting these "sprinter species" on the land to heal it quickly is key in the short term. And then getting a "marathon species" in there after that, your permanent matrix is also the key to healing the land over the long haul. https://lnkd.in/gz6r46Y8

Bird feeders can be a delightful way to observe our feathered friends up close. However, their impact on the environment is a complex issue with both potential upsides and downsides. If you, like me, love your bird feeder, it's important to consider its ecological effects. https://lnkd.in/gQiaekN5

Restoring Midwestern Oak Woodlands: A Guide to Seed Mixes and Native Plugs When restoring oak woodlands it's not just about controlling invasive species, it's about restoring the full function of the ecosystem starting with an grounded in native vegetation. Pairing seed mixes with native plugs is critical in that process. We provide free phone consultations to help you on your journey. If you have any questions at all, please register here for that free ecological restoration consultation service. https://lnkd.in/gnMw9dZ3

Have you ever looked out at a familiar field or forest and felt a pang of sadness? Or maybe you've noticed how many of the farms you remember from your childhood have been replaced by housing developments? If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Here in the Midwest, we're experiencing a profound sense of loss as our environment changes around us. This feeling has a name: solastalgia. Unlike nostalgia, which describes the melancholy or homesickness people feel when separated from a beloved home, solastalgia refers to the distress caused by environmental changes that negatively impact individuals while they remain connected to their home environment. It's that feeling of being homesick, but you're not actually away from home. You're right there, but the place you know and love doesn't feel the same anymore. https://lnkd.in/gb2DCw3J

A New Approach to Woody Invasive Species Control: Leveraging Native Warm-Season Grass Cover Crops As we head into the fall and winter season, tackling invasive brush in the Midwest remains top of mind. Our goal is to find effective, efficient, and environmentally sustainable solutions to control invasives, and our latest approach leverages native grasses for a natural and cost-effective solution. https://lnkd.in/geYa8ZTd

Friends of the Forest Preserves of Cook County are conducting a campaign again right now and they about $1,500 away from our first 4x match for the first $7,000 they raise. That means (sorry for being obvious here if it already makes sense to you) a $500 donation results in $2,000(!) total in support of our adult Conservation Corps program that provides people with essential job skills and training for future careers. Please make a donation today if you can at https://lnkd.in/gx3XDkxe.

We turned 10 today! 65% of businesses fail by their 10th year. We want to thank you for sticking with us and nature! Together we have been able to get tens of thousands of native plants back into the environment, thousands of acres of native seed back on the landscape, tens of thousands of dollars donated to nature. Thank you for making this possible.

Hey Y'all, we have too many healthy Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) plants so we are offering a discount. Take advantage of our 20% wholesale discount. Plants are $1.28 each or flats are $64 (originally $80). Email us at [email protected]. We can ship via UPS, Speedee delivery, LTL and truck delivery. Get these beauties out in the field so we can save some monarchs!

This is very exciting news! 985 Acres Added to Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge! https://lnkd.in/gV6DraU4